Defence Minister honours fallen officers and crew, pledges continued focus on operational safety across the Armed Forces
By : Chioma Vivian James
The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammad Matawalle, has expressed deep grief over the death of 32 Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel who lost their lives in the crash of an ATR-42 aircraft near a naval base in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.
The aircraft, carrying 25 officers and seven crew members, crashed on Monday, October 5, 2026, while undertaking a routine operational flight from Benin to Lagos, according to the Ministry of Defence.
Matawalle described the incident as a devastating loss to the Armed Forces of Nigeria, stressing that the tragedy had again highlighted the grave risks routinely faced by military personnel in the discharge of their national duties.
In a condolence message issued on Tuesday by the ministry’s Chief Information Officer, Information and Public Relations, Queeneth Iheoma-Hart, the minister described the loss as a profound tragedy for the military and the country.
“I received with great sadness the news of the crash of the Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft, which occurred today, Monday, 5th October, 2026, with 25 officers and seven crew members on board,” Matawalle said.
He said the death of the personnel while serving the country was a painful reminder of the sacrifices made by members of the Armed Forces in protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and national security.
“The loss of these gallant personnel in the course of active service to our fatherland is a profound tragedy and a painful reminder of the sacrifices routinely made by members of our Armed Forces in the service of the nation,” he said.
Matawalle said the fallen personnel would be remembered for their courage, dedication and commitment to duty, while extending his sympathy to their families, colleagues and comrades across the military.
“We honour the courage, dedication and service of all the personnel involved in this unfortunate incident. Their commitment to duty and service to Nigeria will not be forgotten,” he said.
The minister also conveyed the condolences of the Ministry of Defence to the bereaved families and the Nigerian Air Force, saying he joined President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, in mourning the loss.
“On behalf of the Ministry of Defence, I join the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, in extending our deepest condolences to the bereaved families, the Nigerian Air Force and the entire Armed Forces of Nigeria over this painful loss,” he said.
Matawalle prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased and asked God to grant their families, colleagues and loved ones the strength to endure what he described as an irreparable loss.
Beyond the immediate expression of grief, the Defence Minister reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to protecting military personnel and strengthening operational safety standards across the Armed Forces.
He said the ministry and the military would remain committed to the highest standards of operational safety while continuing to fulfil their constitutional responsibilities to defend the nation.
The crash comes as Nigeria’s Armed Forces continue to operate a wide range of air assets in support of combat, logistics, surveillance, troop movement and other military operations across the country.
For the families of the 32 personnel, however, Monday’s routine flight has become a devastating national tragedy, leaving behind loved ones, colleagues and comrades mourning officers and crew members who lost their lives while serving the country.
